Multiple Compartment Package

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to multiple compartment bags, and in particular to such bags in which one of the compartments is hermetically sealed. The present invention relates to a dual compartment package in which one hermetically sealed compartment is for packaging a personal care product, more particularly a cosmetic product, and one accessible compartment is for packaging a sample and optionally a leaflet of said personal care product, or of other products of the same product line of said first personal-care product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to multiple compartment bags, and in particular to such bags in which one of the compartments is hermetically sealed.

2. Summary of the Related Art

Promoting and selling a new retail product is always a challenge because of the effort it takes to get consumers to first learn about the new product, and then decide to either try or purchase the product. Manufacturers continually work to entice customers to try their product. Examples include, but are not limited to: car dealers offer customers a test drive; food manufacturers put up tasting counters at supermarkets; personal care manufacturers offer free samples given to customers when purchasing other products at a store; and software manufacturers offer a trial period for running a software, after which the software stops working, or works only partially, unless the customer pays for the full version.

Whereas in most industries, such as the food industry or car industry, a single trial is usually sufficient to give consumers a fairly good appreciation about the product's characteristics, the personal-care industry is challenged by the fact that consumers usually require a longer period of usage and several trials until a customer can form an opinion about the benefits or how suitable is a personal-care product.

Offering free product samples alone, while being an excellent way to introduce a new product to customers, has its limitations. Customers may try a sample and throw away its package, and by the next time they are at the store they may not remember the exact brand or product they have tested. A customer may receive a sample at one store, but purchase the product later from a different store. The consequence is that the first store that introduced the sample does not benefit from the ensuing sale.

A customer may be given a product sample and be enthusiastic about the new product at that moment, but later on may change his mind or purchase a different brand.

The result of the above is that it is a problem for manufacturers, and even more so for specific stores, to create a strong link between trying a sample of a product and making a purchase of that same product.

It would be desirable to create a physical link between a retail product and its sample in order to enable customers to validate the purchase of said retail product and begin using it after having been satisfied with its sample.

Many retail products come with an accompanying leaflet or instructions sheet on how to use the product and what to expect from it. When a product is sold in different countries where different languages are spoken, it is often necessary to provide a different leaflet tailored to the local language, regulations or culture. If the leaflet is placed inside a sealed package of the product, said product may no longer be suitable for distribution in another country, unless it is accompanied by a multi-lingual leaflet that may be long, bulkier, or more expensive to produce. This means that much larger inventories have to be kept with different leaflet versions. If for example, a manufacturer produces an inventory for a product with an English version, but suddenly there is a great demand for the product in Germany, the existing English version in stock is not suitable for the sale of the product in Germany. Stripping the English packaging and replacing it with a German package may be a cumbersome and expensive project to carry out.

It would be desirable for manufactures to be able to bundle a targeted product leaflet with a retail product, and possibly a product sample, in a way that enables flexibility of adding or replacing the product leaflet and the sample to the packaged retail product according to varying marketing circumstances and needs. Manufacturers and distributors need to convince retail stores to purchase and market their products. Manufacturers and distributors can hardly afford to devote marketing and advertising budgets to retail stores. Advertising is usually expensive and manufacturers and distributors prefer to spend most of it on the product itself. It would be desirable for manufacturers and distributors to enable retail stores to bundle in an efficient way the retail product with authorized and agreed upon promotional material regarding the product, the store or both. Thus the marketing and promotion effort and cost would be transferred from the manufacturers and distributors to the retail store. The retail store would also directly enjoy the rewards of its marketing and promotional efforts. This would increase the attractiveness of the product vis-à-vis the retail store, and would increase the retail store's motivation to focus on its sale.

Multiple compartment bags are known in the art. JP 2003321064 describes a container made of a flexible resin wherein a liquid or gel stored in a main compartment can communicate with another compartment serving as a compartment for a test sample. The container of JP 2003321064 is not adapted for testing the product over an extended period of time as the package or container is opened with scissors and thus cannot be sealed after usage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,125 describes a multiple compartment package for packaging bottles together with promotional samples. The promotional samples of U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,125 are only accessible after opening the main package and cannot be accessed separately or independently of the main product.

CA 2448413 describes a package typically adapted for home fashion articles such as bedspreads and blankets. A sample of the home fashion material stored inside the package is attached outside the package so that a customer may touch and feel the sample without damaging the main product. Such a package does not allow independent usage of the sample product nor does it allow the insertion of additional promotional material to the package.

JP 2001225886 describes an eyeglass package where one or two trial lenses are either attached to the package or are built into the package in such a way that a customer is able to try the lenses. Again, the sample of JP 2001225886 is not intended for independent usage, and is also not a sample of the retail product packaged in the main compartment. The retail product here is eyeglasses including a frame and lenses, while only the lenses can be tested by the customer.

FR 2610600 describes a cardbox package including a pedestal for packaging product samples. Such a package is expensive to manufacture and is not fitted to multiple usage over time, due to the fragility of the rigid package. Such a package is easily damaged when being shipped or used, making it less attractive for being offered for sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multiple compartment package with one hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product, and at least one additional accessible compartment that is not hermetically sealed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a dual-compartment package is provided comprising one hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product and another accessible compartment for packaging an additional product. In one embodiment, the additional product packaged in accessible compartment is a sample or a trial pack of the retail product packaged in the hermetically sealed compartment. Thus, the consumer, after purchasing the retail product, can take out and use the sample or trial version of the retail product, without taking out the retail product from the hermetically sealed compartment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the package contains a hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product and an accessible compartment for packaging a product leaflet. Product leaflets can then be produced in different versions according to the requirements of the regions and countries the product is sold in, and the required version of the product leaflets are then placed on demand in the accessible compartment of the package. Exchanging product leaflets in an accessible compartment of the package can then be performed with a minimal effort.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the package of the invention is provided with three compartments: one hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product, and two accessible compartments for packaging an appropriate product leaflet and a product sample. As an alternative, a dual compartment package of the invention is provided comprising a hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product, and an accessible compartment for packaging both the appropriate product leaflet and a product sample.

The manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or retail store may wish to bundle with the retail product additional marketing or promotional materials. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, additional marketing or promotional material is inserted into an accessible compartment of the package. The marketing or promotional material can be packaged in the same accessible compartment along with a product sample or a product leaflet, or the marketing or promotional material can be packaged in a separate accessible compartment of the package.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a dual compartment package in which one hermetically sealed compartment is for packaging a personal care product, more particularly a cosmetic product, and one accessible compartment is for packaging a sample and optionally a leaflet of said personal care product, or of other products of the same product line of said first personal-care product.

Selling the package of the invention including a retail product in the hermetically sealed compartment and a sample of the retail product in accessible compartment, and allowing a consumer to use a sample of the retail product and be able to return the package for a refund if the hermetically sealed compartment with the retail product has not been opened, offers several benefits to the manufacturer, retail store and the customer. The manufacturer and retail store can accept a retail product back into the sales stock knowing that the retail product has not been touched; the manufacturer sends the customer and retail store a strong message regarding his guarantee of the quality of the retail product; and the customer can try a product and be assured that if he does not like the product, he can return it untouched, within a predefined time limit, and get a refund of the purchase price.

The invention thus presents a new method for selling a retail product comprising the following steps:

-   -   (i) placing a retail product in an hermetically sealed         compartment of a multiple compartment package;     -   (ii) placing a sample of said retail product in an accessible         compartment of said multiple compartment package;     -   (iii) selling said multiple compartment package; and     -   (iv) setting a predefined period of time from the purchase date         of said multiple compartment package so that a customer can         return said multiple compartment package to the purchasing         location and receive a refund or credit if the hermetically         sealed compartment containing said retail product has not been         opened;     -   (v) replacing said sample of said retail product, in the         accessible compartment if said sample has been used or partially         used; and     -   (vi) offering said multiple compartment package for sale again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-1 g illustrate bags according to the invention in different forms, with one hermetically sealed compartment and one or two accessible compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a multiple compartment package with one hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product, and at least one additional, accessible compartment that is not hermetically sealed.

FIGS. 1 a-1 g illustrate several embodiments of the package of the invention in different shapes. The bags have one hermetically sealed compartment 10, means for hermetically sealing a compartment 15, one or two accessible compartments 20, and means for closing an accessible compartment 25.

The different compartments can be aligned in any order: horizontally, vertically, or any other form. The compartments of the package of the invention can be designed in any form: rectangular, square, triangular, round, oval, any figurative form or in any other geometric or non-geometric form. The compartments of the package of the invention can be separated by any desired pattern, for example a straight line, curve, wave, zigzag, or any other form.

An accessible compartment 20 can be provisionally closed by employing various means 25 including, but not limited to: clips, buttons, slipknots, adhesive material, strings, or zippers in different forms.

The package of the invention can be shaped in any geometric, non-geometric, or figurative form. For example, a package can be shaped as a rectangle, any oval or circular form, a triangle, a hexagon, or shaped in any figurative form such as a horse, a boat, a house or any other figurative form.

FIG. 1 a illustrates a rectangular-shaped package of the invention wherein one accessible compartment 20 is positioned above the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartment 25 are located on top of the package.

FIG. 1 b illustrates a rectangular-shaped package of the invention wherein two accessible compartments 20 are aligned side-by-side above the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartments 25 are located on top of the package.

FIG. 1 c illustrates a triangular-shaped package of the invention wherein two triangular-shaped accessible compartments 20 are aligned side-by-side above the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartments 25 are located on the side of the package.

FIG. 1 d illustrates an oval-shaped package of the invention wherein one accessible compartment 20 is positioned above the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartment 25 are located on top of the package.

FIG. 1 e illustrates a rectangular-shaped package of the invention wherein two triangular-shaped accessible compartments 20 are aligned side-by-side above the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartments 25 are located on top of the package.

FIG. 1 f illustrates a kangaroo-shaped package of the invention wherein the kangaroo's pouch serves as an accessible compartment 20 while the kangaroo's body serves as the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartment 25 are located on top of the pouch.

FIG. 1 g illustrates a rectangular-shaped package of the invention wherein the accessible compartment 20 is aligned side-by-side with the hermetically sealed compartment 10. Means for closing the accessible compartments 25 are located on top of the package.

FIG. 1 i illustrates a triangular-shaped package of the invention wherein two triangular-shaped accessible compartments 20 are positioned on each side of the package with a rectangular-shaped hermetically sealed compartment 10 placed between them. Means for closing the accessible compartments 25 are located on the side of the package.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the hermetically sealed compartment 10 is used for packaging a retail product, while an accessible compartment 20 is used for packaging an additional product, for example, a sample or trial version of said retail product, optionally with a leaflet and/or other promotional material.

Manufacturers in several industries such as the personal care industry, the food industry, the car industry, the personal software industries, and other industries invest significant resources and effort in getting customers to learn about their products, and inducing customers to try their products. Sales people and retail stores desire to shorten the time between the trial of a retail product and its purchase. In addition, sales people and retail stores only benefit from a purchase transacted with them directly. If a customer is given a product sample at one store, but then purchases the retail product later on at a different store, the sales person providing the sample and the first retail store, do not benefit from the subsequent purchase of said retail product.

The present invention presents an effective solution to this problem by providing a multiple compartment package comprising one hermetically sealed compartment 10 for packaging a retail product and at least one accessible compartment 20 for packaging a sample or trial version of said retail product. When a customer purchases said retail product, packaged in said hermetically sealed compartment 10 of the package, the customer also receives a free trial or sample of said purchased retail product. If the customer is not satisfied with the sample of the retail product, he may return the package to the store within a predefined time limit, and get a refund of the purchase price, as long as the hermetically sealed compartment 10 has not been opened. A customer may also be offered credit instead of a refund depending on the store policy. A new sample or trial version of said retail product may be placed in the accessible compartment 20, replacing the one that has been used or partially used, and the full retail product in the package of the invention can be put up for sale again. If a customer is satisfied with the sample product, he needs only to open the hermetically sealed compartment 10, take out the retail product and begin using it. The predefined time period for returning the package for a refund or credit may be set to any time. Practice usually sets this period to a week, 10 days, two weeks or a month. Alternatively, no time limit might be announced by the store, allowing a customer to return the product for refund or credit any time assuming the hermetically sealed compartment 10 has not been opened.

The package of the present invention presents further advantages for the customer and the manufacturer. Even when the customer is familiar with the retail product, he may regard the sample product offered as an additional product bonus, increasing the quantity of product purchased for a given price. The sample product may also be used when traveling. Satisfied customers may pass trial products to their friends and families, thus offering the manufacturer a very effective promotion system. A satisfied customer thus recommends and offers a trial product to someone that knows and trusts him.

Product manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retail stores may wish from time to time, or on a permanent basis, to include marketing or promotional material along with the retail product they are marketing. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, marketing or promotional material is inserted into an accessible compartment 20 of the package. The accessible compartment 20 is a very convenient location to place marketing or promotional material since it can be inserted at any stage by the manufacturer or distributor and even at the retail store itself. It is also easier to update or remove such marketing or promotional material when necessary.

Many products are offered with an accompanying product leaflet, detailing usage and safety instructions. Manufacturers frequently sell an identical product in different regions or countries, having to provide a different product leaflet for each region or country often in a different language, or containing pertinent local information. Prior art practices require manufacturers to produce in advance a sufficient number of retail products with their associated product leaflets for each region or country, in order to be able to accommodate projected consumer demand for each region or country. Once an inventory is produced for one region or country, it can be unpractical and expensive to repurpose it for another region or country in order to meet an increased demand, because production lines are not set up to exchange product leaflets efficiently inside an existing sealed package.

The present invention offers a solution to the above-mentioned problem by offering a package with a hermetically sealed compartment 10 for packaging a retail product, and an accessible compartment 20 for packaging the product leaflet of said retail product packaged in said hermetically sealed compartment 10 of the package. Thus a manufacturer can produce a set number of retail products packaged in a hermetically sealed compartment 10 of the invention, and then place the corresponding product leaflet for each region or country in an accessible compartment 20 when necessary. Even after a product leaflet has been packaged into an accessible compartment 20, it can be easily replaced with a different product leaflet if required. The manufacturer is thus able to respond more efficiently to impromptu increases in demand in different countries or regions, and also produce less products in advance saving money in inventory and production costs.

The package of the invention can be made from any available material according to any design, usage, cost or other criteria decided by the manufacturer. Examples of popular materials include but are not limited to: polyethylene film (PE), polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), multilayered laminated foils, paper and aluminum foil. Using such flexible material makes the package of the invention cost-effective for manufacturing and well resistant against wearing out in a retail environment.

The package may optionally further contain insulating material available in the industry for example, locked air or gas straight, or bubbles. The package of the invention may also contain soft or rigid fillers in order to provide additional protection against breakage or other damage to a product inside the package.

It is important for retail products to be able to be arranged and presented efficiently in a retail store. In another embodiment of the present invention, the package also includes means for hanging said package on a display counter. Popular means in the industry for hanging a product on a display counter include a hook, which may be either built into the product or attached externally to the product, or one or more holes incorporated into the design of the package. Other means for hanging the package exist in the industry and should be considered as part of the scope of the present invention. 

1. A multiple compartment package comprising: (i) one hermetically sealed compartment for packaging a retail product; and (ii) at least one additional, accessible compartment that is not hermetically sealed for packaging a sample of said retail product.
 2. The package according to claim 1, comprising an accessible compartment for inserting an accompanying leaflet of said retail product.
 3. The package according to claim 1, comprising an accessible compartment for inserting additional marketing or promotional material.
 4. The package according to claim 1, shaped in any geometric, non-geometric or figurative form.
 5. The package according to claim 1, wherein the compartments are aligned horizontally, vertically or in any other form.
 6. The package according to claim 1, made of a material selected from polyethylene film (PE), polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), multilayered laminated foils, paper or aluminum foil.
 7. The package according to claim 6, further comprising insulating materials, or soft or rigid fillers.
 8. The package according to claim 1, wherein said accessible compartment is closed by a closing mean selected from clips, buttons, slipknots, adhesive material, strings, or zippers or any other industrial mean.
 9. The package according to claim 1, further containing means for hanging said package on a display counter.
 10. The package according to claim 9, wherein said means are a hook or one or more holes.
 11. The package according to claim 1, wherein said retail product and said sample of retail product are personal-care products.
 12. A dual-compartment package according to claim 1, wherein said retail product and said sample of retail product are cosmetic products.
 13. A triple-compartment package according to claim 1, wherein said retail product and said sample of retail product are cosmetic products.
 14. A method of selling a retail product comprising: (i) placing a retail product in an hermetically sealed compartment of a multiple compartment package; (ii) placing a sample of said retail product in an accessible compartment of said multiple compartment package; (iii) selling said multiple compartment package; and (iv) setting a predefined period of time from the purchase date of said multiple compartment package so that a customer can return said multiple compartment package to the purchasing location and receive a refund or credit if the hermetically sealed compartment containing said retail product has not been opened; (v) replacing said sample of said retail product, in the accessible compartment if said sample has been used or partially used; and (vi) offering said multiple compartment package for sale again.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein an accompanying leaflet of said retail product is inserted to an accessible compartment of said multiple compartment package.
 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein additional marketing or promotional material are inserted to an accessible compartment of said multiple compartment package.
 17. A method according to claim 14, wherein said predefined period of time is 10 or 14 days.
 18. A method according to claim 14, wherein said predefined period of time has no limits so that a customer may return the multiple compartment package any time for a refund or credit as long as the hermetic compartment containing the retail product has not been opened.
 19. A method according to claim 14, wherein said multiple compartment package is a dual compartment package and said retail product and sample of retail product are cosmetic products.
 20. A method according to claim 14, wherein said multiple compartment package is a triple compartment package and said retail product and sample of retail product are cosmetic products. 